Paulo Bento has confirmed he will step down as manager of South Korea after their 4-1 loss to Brazil in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup on Monday.
The Selecao raced into a four-goal lead against a formidable South Korea side, who put up a superb fightback to book their place in the knockout stages last week after beating Portugal in stoppage time.
But Bento has now revealed that the decision to quit after this winter’s tournament was made some time ago and he will stick to his word.
He said after the match that I have just announced to the players and the president of the federation that I took this decision in September.
“It’s set in stone and I’ve confirmed it. I have to thank everyone for what they’ve done.
“From now on we have to think about the future. I am going to rest and we have to see what happens after my rest.”
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Bento Taegeuk left after four years in charge of the Warriors, and while he has overseen some progress, the South Korean public is still disappointed by the team’s 2019 Asian Cup quarter-final loss to Qatar. Seen as a failure.
South Korea started this World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay and an entertaining 3-2 defeat to Ghana, with Bento sent off at the final whistle.
He was forced to watch from the stands as his side beat compatriots Portugal 2-1, before returning to the touchline for Monday’s demolition by Brazil.